149 research outputs found
Induced expression of the Fragaria 7 ananassa Rapid alkalinization factor-33-like gene decreases anthracnose ontogenic resistance of unripe strawberry fruit stages
Rapid alkalinization factor (RALF) genes encode for ubiquitous small peptides that stimulate apoplastic alkalinization through interaction with malectin-like receptor kinase. RALF peptides may act as negative regulators of plant immune response, inhibiting the formation of the signal receptor complex for immune activation. Recently RALF homologues were identified in different fungal pathogen genomes contributing to host infection ability. Here, FaRALF-33-like gene expression was evaluated in strawberry fruits inoculated with Colletotrichum acutatum, Botrytis cinerea, or Penicillium expansum after 24 and 48 h post-infection. To investigate the role of FaRALF-33-like in strawberry susceptibility, transient transformation was used to overexpress it in white unripe fruits and silence it in red ripe fruits. Agroinfiltrated fruits were inoculated with C. acutatum and expression, and histological analysis of infection were performed. Silencing of FaRALF-33-like expression in C. acutatum-inoculated red fruits led to a delay in fruit colonization by the fungal pathogen, and infected tissues showed less penetrated infective hyphae than in wild-type fruits. In contrast, C. acutatum-inoculated white unripe fruits overexpressing the FaRALF-33-like gene decreased the ontogenic resistance of these fruits, leading to the appearance of disease symptoms and penetrated subcuticular hyphae, normally absent in white unripe fruits. The different response of transfected strawberry fruits to C. acutatum supports the hypothesis that the FaRALF-33-like gene plays an important role in the susceptibility of fruits to the fungal pathogen C. acutatum
Isotopic signature in isolated south-western populations of European brown bear (Ursus arctos)
Stable isotope analysis of animal tissue samples is increasingly used to study the trophic ecology of target species. The isotopic signatures respond to the type of diet, but also to the environmental conditions of their habitat. In the case of omnivorous, seasonal or opportunistic feeding species, the interpretation of isotopic values is more complex, as it is largely determined by food selection, either due to individual choice or because of availability. We analysed C and N isotopes in brown bear (Ursus arctos) hair from four isolated populations of south-western Europe (Cantabrian, Pyrenees, Central Apennines and Alpine) accounting for the geographical and climatic differences among the four areas. We found inter-population differences in isotopic signatures that cannot be attributed to climatic differences alone, indicating that at least some bears from relatively higher altitude populations experiencing higher precipitation (Pyrenees) show a greater consumption of animal foods than those from lower altitudes (Cantabrian and Apennines). The quantification of isotopic niche space using Layman's metrics identified significant similarities between the Cantabrian and Central Apennine samples that markedly differ from the Pyrenean and Alpine. Our study provides a baseline to allow further comparisons in isotopic niche spaces in a broad ranged omnivorous mammal, whose European distribution requires further conservation attention especially for southern isolated populations
Human aging and longevity are characterized by high levels of mitokines
Mitochondrial stress elicits the production of stress response molecules
indicated as mitokines, including FGF21, GDF15 and Humanin (HN). Many diseases
are characterized by progressive mitochondrial dysfunction with alterations of
mitokine secretion. It is still controversial whether healthy aging and extreme
longevity are accompanied by altered production of mitokines. We analyzed FGF21,
HN and GDF15 plasma levels in 693 subjects aged from 21 to 113 years, and the
association of these mitokines with parameters of health status. FGF21, HN and
GDF15 resulted increased in old age, with the highest levels found in
centenarians. These molecules are associated with worsened parameters (such as
handgrip strength, insulin sensitivity, total triglycerides), particularly in
70-year-old persons, and their levels are inversely correlated with survival in
the oldest subjects. Considering the positive biological effect of these
molecules, our results can be interpreted in the framework of the hormetic
paradigm as an attempt of the cells/tissues to cope with a stress that can have
beneficial or detrimental effects depending on its intensity. Finally, persons
with Down Syndrome (characterized by accelerated aging) have higher levels of
GDF15 and HN with respect to their siblings, suggesting that these molecules,
especially GDF15, could be considered markers of biological age
Phenotypic Changes Across a Geographic Gradient: The Case of Three Sympatric Dolphin Species
Phenotypic changes in the mammalian mandible can occur at different spatial and temporal scales. We investigated mandibular size and shape variation in three extant closely related dolphins (Cetacea, Odontoceti): Tursiops truncatus, Stenella coeruleoalba and Delphinus delphis in order to test the hypothesis that similar phenotypic changes occur across the same geographical gradient. Our data included 219 specimens representative of the following geographic locations: the Mediterranean Sea, the eastern north Atlantic and the North Sea. Each mandibula was photographed laterally and spatial positioning of eight homologous 2D landmarks was recorded. After applying generalised Procrustes analysis (GPA), intraspecific variation was first investigated between sexes and among populations to allow further pooling of samples. Size and shape differences among populations and species were investigated through multivariate ordination techniques (PCA), Procrustes ANOVA and allometric analyses. In all three species, Mediterranean populations clearly differed in mandible shape from the extra-Mediterranean ones. Among the three, the direction of geographic phenotypic changes was significantly similar in the striped and common dolphin, while the bottlenose dolphin was the most divergent species, differing both in size and allometric trajectory. Shape variation of the two former species highlighted a morphological convergence in the Atlantic, and a phenotypic divergence in the Mediterranean. Shape differences among the three dolphin species were interpreted in the light of different prey preferences, feeding strategies and habitat partitioning to avoid direct competition
Shallow structure beneath the Central Volcanic Complex of Tenerife from new gravity data: implications for its evolution and recent reactivation
We present a new local Bouguer anomaly map of the Central Volcanic Complex (CVC) of Tenerife, Spain, constructed from the amalgamation of 323 new high precision gravity measurements with existing gravity data from 361 observations. The new anomaly map images the high-density core of the CVC and the pronounced gravity low centred in the Las Cañadas caldera in greater detail than previously available. Mathematical construction of a sub-surface model from the local anomaly data, employing a 3D inversion based on 'growing' the sub-surface density distribution via the aggregation of cells, enables mapping of the shallow structure beneath the complex, giving unprecedented insights into the sub-surface architecture. We find the resultant density distribution in agreement with geological and other geophysical data. The modelled sub-surface structure supports a vertical collapse origin of the caldera, and maps the headwall of the ca. 180 ka Icod landslide, which appears to lie buried beneath the Pico Viejo–Pico Teide stratovolcanic complex. The results allow us to put into context the recorded ground deformation and gravity changes at the CVC during its reactivation in spring 2004 in relation to its dominant structural building blocks. For example, the areas undergoing the most significant changes at depth in recent years are underlain by low-density material and are aligned along long-standing structural entities, which have shaped this volcanic ocean island over the past few million years
Surface wave tomography across Afar, Ethiopia: crustal structure at a rift triple-junction zone
The Afar Depression in northeast Africa contains the rift triple-junction between the Nubia, Arabia and Somalia plates. We analyze Rayleigh wave group velocity from 250 regional earthquakes recorded by 40 broadband stations to study the crustal structure across Afar and adjacent plateau regions in northern Ethiopia. The dispersion velocities are inverted to obtain surface wave tomographic maps for periods between 5 and 25 seconds, sensitive to approximately the top 30 km of the lithosphere. The tomographic maps show a significant low dispersion velocity anomaly (>20%) within the upper crust, below the site of recent dyke intrusions (2005–present) in the Dabbahu and Manda-Hararo magmatic segments. Similar low velocity regions are imaged where magma intrusion in the Afar crust has been inferred over the last decade from seismicity or volcanic eruptions. We invert two group velocity curves to compare the S-wave velocity structure of the crust within an active magmatic segment with that of adjacent areas; the active region has a low velocity zone (Vs ∼ 3.2 km/s), between about 6–12 km, which we infer to be due to the presence of partial melt within the lower crust
Cross-sectional analysis of the correlation between daily nutrient intake assessed by 7-day food records and biomarkers of dietary intake among participants of the NU-AGE study
Methods for measuring diet composition and quantifying nutrient intake with sufficient validity are essential to study the association between nutrition and health outcomes and risk of diseases. 7-day food records provides a quantification of food actually and currently consumed and is interesting for its use in intervention studies to monitor diet in a short-term period and to guide participants toward changing their intakes. The objective of this study is to analyze the correlation/association between the daily intake of selected nutrients (collected by a 7-day food records plus a mineral/vitamin supplementation questionnaire) and estimates of energy expenditure as well as blood and urine biomarkers of dietary intakes in 1,140 healthy elderly subjects (65–79 years) at baseline of the NU-AGE intervention study (NCT01754012, clinicaltrials.gov). The results show that: the daily intake of energy correlated significantly with predicted total energy expenditure (pTEE) (ρ = 0.459, p < 0.001, and q < 0.001); protein intake correlated significantly with the ratio of 24 h urinary urea to creatinine excretion (ρ = 0.143 for total protein intake, ρ = 0.296 for animal protein intake, and ρ = 0.359 for protein intake/body weight, p < 0.001 and q < 0.001 for each correlation); vitamin B12 and folate intakes correlated significantly with their serum concentrations (ρ = 0.151 and ρ = 0.363, respectively; p < 0.001 and q < 0.001 for each correlation); sodium and potassium intakes correlated significantly with their 24 h urinary excretion (ρ = 0.298 and ρ = 0.123, respectively; p < 0.001 and q < 0.001 for each correlation); vitamin B12 and folate intakes were negatively associated with plasma homocysteine measure (p = 0.001 and p = 0.004, respectively); stratifying subjects by gender, the correlations between energy intake and pTEE and between potassium intake and its 24 h urinary excretion lost their significance in women. Even if the plasma and urinary levels of these nutrients depend on several factors, the significant correlations between daily reported intake of nutrients (protein, vitamin B12, folate, and sodium) and their blood/urinary markers confirmed that the 7-day food records (plus a supplementation questionnaire) provides reliable data to evaluate short-term current dietary intake in European elderly subjects and it can be exploited to guide and monitor NU-AGE participants through the shift of their diet according NU-AGE recommendations
Isotopic signature in isolated south-western populations of European brown bear (Ursus arctos)
Abstract Stable isotope analysis of animal tissue samples is increasingly used to study the trophic ecology of target species. The isotopic signatures respond to the type of diet, but also to the environmental conditions of their habitat. In the case of omnivorous, seasonal or opportunistic feeding species, the interpretation of isotopic values is more complex, as it is largely determined by food selection, either due to individual choice or because of availability. We analysed C and N isotopes in brown bear (Ursus arctos) hair from four isolated populations of south-western Europe (Cantabrian, Pyrenees, Central Apennines and Alpine) accounting for the geographical and climatic differences among the four areas. We found inter-population differences in isotopic signatures that cannot be attributed to climatic differences alone, indicating that at least some bears from relatively higher altitude populations experiencing higher precipitation (Pyrenees) show a greater consumption of animal foods than those from lower altitudes (Cantabrian and Apennines). The quantification of isotopic niche space using Layman’s metrics identified significant similarities between the Cantabrian and Central Apennine samples that markedly differ from the Pyrenean and Alpine. Our study provides a baseline to allow further comparisons in isotopic niche spaces in a broad ranged omnivorous mammal, whose European distribution requires further conservation attention especially for southern isolated populations
Isotopic signature in isolated south-western populations of European brown bear (Ursus arctos)
Stable isotope analysis of animal tissue samples is increasingly used to study the trophic ecology of target species. The isotopic signatures respond to the type of diet, but also to the environmental conditions of their habitat. In the case of omnivorous, seasonal or opportunistic feeding species, the interpretation of isotopic values is more complex, as it is largely determined by food selection, either due to individual choice or because of availability. We analysed C and N isotopes in brown bear (Ursus arctos) hair from four isolated populations of south-western Europe (Cantabrian, Pyrenees, Central Apennines and Alpine) accounting for the geographical and climatic differences among the four areas. We found inter-population differences in isotopic signatures that cannot be attributed to climatic differences alone, indicating that at least some bears from relatively higher altitude populations experiencing higher precipitation (Pyrenees) show a greater consumption of animal foods than those from lower altitudes (Cantabrian and Apennines). The quantification of isotopic niche space using Layman’s metrics identified significant similarities between the Cantabrian and Central Apennine samples that markedly differ from the Pyrenean and Alpine. Our study provides a baseline to allow further comparisons in isotopic niche spaces in a broad ranged omnivorous mammal, whose European distribution requires further conservation attention especially for southern isolated populations
Production of biogas - a manner of manufacturing
Advertising is commonly criticised for being pervasive, offensive, manipulative, harmful
and irresponsible. This thesis focuses on the subjective criticisms and complex issues
related to taste, decency, morality and offence, particularly as applied to, and
understood within, the public and non-profit contexts. It is positioned at the intersection
of marketing communications, marketing ethics, and social and non-profit marketing
and explores how shocking, offensive and/or controversial (SOC) advertising appeals
are interpreted, regulated and contested, by divergent groups of people. The approach
taken is inspired by stakeholder theory and its focus on ethical decision-making for the
betterment of all stakeholders. A mixed methods research design was adopted, resulting
in three studies and these are presented as three discrete articles.
Article I maps the field of existing research into SOC advertising and identifies gaps in
our knowledge by means of a systematic literature review. It offers a critical appraisal
of the field by highlighting definitional tensions, limited interdisciplinary work and an
overdependence on student samples, on quantitative analysis and on non-longitudinal
methodologies. It then proposes a series of remedies to these shortcomings. The second
and third papers continue this reparative work by conceptualising and analysing actual
SOC advertising interpretations and contestations.
Article II explores the interpretations and experiences of SOC advertising within the
regulatory context by analysing evidence from complainants, advertisers and regulatory
bodies. It then proposes and develops an interpretation of the implicit power dynamics
through which their contradictory interests overlap. The methodology underpinning
this chapter combines a thematic content analysis of a substantial archive of complaints
submitted to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) with an interpretation of case
adjudication reports influenced by the work of Michel Foucault. The findings suggest
that the regulation of SOC advertising prioritises the interests of firms and advertisers
by relegating the role of complainant to that of merely registering complaints.
The focus of Article III moves from the regulatory framework to the complained-about
advertisements themselves. It provides an innovative theoretical and methodological
approach to analysing SOC advertisements, rooted in the classic Aristotelian notion of
rhetorical appeals and figuration, by developing and analysing a carefully selected
example in detail. The analysis reveals an implicit NFP sector-specific appeal to ethos
and the importance of a complex appeal to pathos.
Each of the papers offers a different level of analysis of the often-contradictory
viewpoints represented by stakeholder groups involved in, or affected by, the use of
SOC advertising tactics. These viewpoints include academics, general consumers, the
vocal minority of complainants, the advertisers including the non-profit and public
organisations and the advertising creatives, and the advertising regulator. Taken
together, the papers amount to a thesis that makes an important contribution to debates
about the appropriateness, ethics, and application of SOC themes, formats and imagery
in social and non-profit advertising. By exploring the regulatory processes of the ASA,
an exemplary advertising self-regulatory body, it further contributes to the discourse
on self-regulatory practices and highlights an NFP sector-specific consequentialist
approach that appears to stifle the voice of the offended complainant. On a practical
level, this work has implications for advertising practitioners and advertising regulators
who are involved in producing and regulating advertising that uses SOC tactics
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